High Energy Discharge from Fuel in Non Metallic Pipes

The construction of ships using glass reinforced plastic (grp) has brought many benefits such as improved maintainability. However, very large electrostatic discharges have been observed during high rate filling of fuel tanks using inlet pipes made of polypropylene. The advantages of using non metallic pipes are many, and a system using pipes which do not allow large electrical potentials to accumulate is essential. The work has shown that the fuel tank material is not a major influence on the large discharge potential associated with the pipe. The processes concerned involve the pipe only. Studies have been made of the mode of breakdown of the pipes and of pipes made from other materials such as GRP and GRP containing carbon.